Oh, I love this – just my style. Dark navy gabardine fabric with a fabric-covered belt and interesting details. Peplum waistlines are so flattering, on the right figure.

This beauty is in such good condition for it’s age. I do need to replace the tattered lining and re-install shoulder pads, but that is a minor repair. The best things are the authentic 1940’s styling, the belt in great condition, the quality fabric and tailoring. I’ll wear it forever.

Fabulous! Both these slips are rare finds, but the one on left – the oldest – is REALLY RARE. Let me describe them both, and the most fascinating details –

The long slip on right is a post-war 1940’s – early 1950’s length. Look at the beautiful embroidery on the bodice. It’s a very small size (not unusual at that time), but I can wear it and it’s perfect under many of my dresses from that era. Nice to have the hemline lower for those midi-length frocks.

The shorter slip on left is the real elusive find. It’s made of cotton or cotton blend, which is extremely rare and sought-after for wear during the warmer months. I have a couple in white, but BLACK is like WOW!!!!!!! Black sheer summer dresses in my wardrobe will get a lot more wear now. Also, look at the bodice decoration – cute embroidery and RUCHING, which is rarely seen and an older style of embellishment.

The red color of the lace may be due to the effects of perspiration over time. It’s so uniform that I’m not sure about this, but could be that the lace is of a different fabric content (likely) which reacted to the chemicals in sweat. It could be re-dyed but it is kind of pretty as is . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Here’s another dressy frock from Montevideo, Uruguay – probably just a few years younger than her sister shown yesterday. This dress is stylish, but not as Crawford vampish as the other. The 1940’s styling has been played down, excepting for the puffy shoulders and embroidered mesh trim. I forgot to take a picture with the black curly lamb jacket which was also a recent find, from the early 1950’s. Would be a perfect wrap over this dress.

No, it is not bare on the bodice. The mesh has been lined with a flesh-tone panel which is a perfect match for bare skin peeking out at the shoulders. The tailoring of these mid-century frocks is just astounding, especially when they were hand-made by dressmakers. The well-to-do ladies in Montevideo would have had much of their clothing custom-made to their specifications and fit.

However, remember the dressing gown from a few days ago? It was also hand-made, but from France, and probably purchased before the European war. Many Montevidean women purchased French fashions and accessories back in the day.

Though WWII was raging in Europe and Argentina next door was experiencing unrest, the 1940’s were a relatively stable and prosperous time for Uruguay and this shows up in the architecture and antique goods which I discovered there. The country profited from beef supplied to other countries and the more well-off citizens lived a good life. Their clothing and household goods reflected that.

This beautiful frock was hand-tailored in a dressmaker’s shop. All of the embellishment was applied by hand and the tailoring is hand-done, too. As you can see, it’s loaded with beads and sequins, plus all the little button and loop closures up the back. Madame must have had a household staff, one of whom helped her dress and looked after her wardrobe. I love the 1940’s styling with the big, padded shoulders and ruching at the hips. These funny hip details were flattering only to slim figures, but they’re loads of fun, anyway.